#danny/sysTIM

[clockwayswrites]

A Hill to Die On Ch 6, Part 1 (only?)

Masterpost this is a first draft, please no editing or concrit <3 I am headache. I am pain.

CW: deff implied sexual content on either end and Danny and Alvin both being disasters.

[Good times are had for Danny and Tim involving walls and mouths and Tim being happily used.]

-

Danny rolled over in bed, hand narrowly missing the attempted grab. He let out a low grumble into his pillow before he mumbled, “Come back to bed, Tim.”

“Not Tim.”

It was so clear when that sunk in by the way that Danny tensed for a moment before he very obviously forced himself to relax. He turned his head enough to get one eye open. “Not Caroline either.”

“Nope.”

“So, unless there’s another one, you’re Alvin.”

“And you’re a real genius. I can see why Tim likes you,” Alvin deadpanned. He put the trinket that he’d been looking at back down on Danny’s side table.

“Do we have to do this meeting at…” Danny grappled for his phone and squinted at the too bright screen. “Two forty-two in the morning?”

“Nope,” Alvin said and headed towards where he guessed the kitchen might be, “but I’m getting a drink. I can still taste your cock and I wasn’t even the one who sucked it.”

“You wish you had!” Danny called after him.

“Like fuck I do!” Alvin called back. He found the fridge and opened it to instant regret at the bright light.

Danny must had gotten up because there was mumbled cussing, shuffling around, and then the sound of a chair scraping across the linoleum floor.

“Pick something already, you’re letting the penguins out,” Danny complained through a yawn.

Alvin rolled his eyes and grabbed the orange juice. “Letting the penguins out’, fuck, where did they even find you?”

“At a club. And use a glass. Cabinet closest to the fridge,” Danny said.

Alvin considered not using a glass just to spite the order, but grabbed one in the end. “Thought we weren’t doing this at two forty-two in the morning.”

“Yeah, well, you finally show up after you’ve never even texted me back, so I feel kinda obligated to be conscious if you’re going to actually be around,” Danny said. He’d pulled on some boxers and was more slumped at the table then sitting at it.

Alvin slid Danny a glass of the juice before shoving the bottle back in the fridge. He leaned against the counter and took a long drink from his own glass. There were a lot of unasked questions in that, questions that Alvin didn’t know where to start with or even if he wanted to start at all. Coming out tonight hadn’t exactly been part of a plan.

“You don’t have to,” Alvin said eventually. “Not me that you’re dating. Or fucking.”

Danny tensed a little at that. Interesting.

“Nope,” Danny said with purposeful casualness, “and we don’t have to do either just because I’m with Tim and Caroline. But it’s your body too, so I’d at least like us to be amicable with each other.”

Alvin snorted at that. “Yeah, you’re just fine if there’s this whole other person thing rattling around in your boyfriend’s—girlfriend’s? In your lover’s body?”

“Well, yeah,” Danny said like it was really that fucking simple. “I knew you came as part of the package. You’re not a thing, Alvin, you’re a person just like Caroline or Tim.”

Alvin tossed the rest of the OJ back and set the glass down with a clank. “Naw, Tim’s the real boy. Caroline’s a pretty face. I’m just Pinocchio.”

“That’s not true,” Danny said. His passion was almost vehement. “Even if Tim was the first one around or the first one named, you and Caroline are still here and real and deserve to be treated like the real people you are.”

What was he supposed to say to that. Alvin just crossed his arms and looked away.

“I mean it, Alvin,” Danny said. The chair squeaked again as Danny got up and came around the table. “I’d like to get to know you when you’re around. And if we don’t end up together too, okay. If you want to be with someone else, okay. We’d just need to make sure the others feel safe and you protection and get tested and stuff, same as we have.”

“Ugh, you guys are bare backing it, aren’t you?” Alvin groaned dramatically.

Danny just shrugged out of the corner of Alvin’s eyesight. “We’re exclusive, unless you change that, and traded test results. Didn’t seem a reason not to do that. Besides,” Danny continued with a suspicious smugness. “Tim likes to gag on it.”

“Oh fuck you,” Alvin said. He grabbed the dish towel at his hip and tossed it at Danny, who caught it laughing.

“Dude, you’re the one standing naked in my kitchen drinking juice,” Danny pointed out.

Alvin huffed and crossed his arm again. “I’m not like Tim and Caroline.”

“I’ve figured that out pretty quickly. Genius, remember?” Danny teased.

Alvin narrowed his eyes. “I mean that I don’t like to ‘gag on it’. I don’t want to be fucked either.”

Danny just shrugged again. “That’s fine. I’m pretty sure Caroline is like, basically picking out a nice silicone cock or two to fuck me with.”

Alvin’s nose scrunched up. “She has a real one.”

“And if she isn’t comfortable using it, that’s fine.” Danny was aggravatingly easy going. “Besides, I think she has plans.”

“Your funeral.”

“Trust me,” Danny said with a toothy smile, “I’ll rest like the dead after.”

Alvin eyed the pointy teeth. “I can’t tell if I hate you a little or really want to bend you over the table and fuck you.”

“Hate sex is good too,” Danny said, smile suddenly all too innocent.

Seriously, who had Caroline found in that club? He was cheerful and annoying and hot and way too horny—Alvin lunged forward and captured Danny’s mouth with his own, as if he could devour that innocent little smile and all the sin that it promised.

When in Rome, or something.

[clockwaysadmin]

A Hill to Die On

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Backburner

Ship: Danny/Tim(/Caroline/Alvin)

CW: discussions of smutty topics, mildly spicy, identity issues, minor dysphoria, abduction, GIW, off screen medical experimentation, hurt/comfort

After an injury keeps him out of the cape, Tim is trying to figure out who he is. Sometimes that means no being himself at all. Luckily, the cute guy they met seems happy to date both Tim and his alter Caroline.

All parts are being posted here on Tumblr in their first draft version with the smut removed.

All things related to this fic can be found in the 'a hill to die on' tag on @clockwayswrites. Major links are below.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 part 1, part 2 Chapter 5 part1, part 2, part 3 Chapter 6 part1

Art

Caroline Club Sketch

Bust sketches of Tim, Caroline, and Alvin

Caroline Sketch

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[clockwayswrites]

A Hill to Die On Chapter 5, part 3

masterpost tiny short bit. please no concrit/editing. life is hard enough right now

“Next outfit, next outfit,” the group chanted. Their ability to ignore the side eye from the sales woman was impressive. Maybe it’s because they knew if she tried anything with them, Cass had the Wayne card to pull out. Dick did too, of course, but it was a hit or a miss if he would use it. Not because of how he was dressed, of course, but it would depend on if Cass seemed willing. He liked to see her stand up for herself, they all did.

Caroline fussed with her hair for a moment before stepping out of the dressing room. It she was more of a blusher, she’d have flushed brightly with the newest string of compliments. Obeying Dicks hand motion, she did a little twirl. A camera went off if she did so.

“Sending this to you to send to Danny, because this? This is totally date night material,” Babs said.

“Or,” Stephie said, drawing the simple word out as long as she could. “You could just put him in a group chat with us and we can sent them ourselves!”

“I don’t think you quite understand the not scaring him away part of earlier,” Caroline said as she brushed a hand over the the skirt. It was a lightweight, pleated fabric that faded from opaque black to a sheer red. She loved how it move.

“Ashamed of us,” Cass said somberly.

“No!” Her head shot up as she assured them quickly. It was a joke, mostly like, but if it wasn’t… She tugged at the black top where it barely hung onto her shoulders. “You’re all amazing. And I don’t really think you would scare Danny away, after all, he put up with us, but do you know how special that is? To not only find someone who doesn’t mind what we are, but to embrace it? And above that what I am? Or rather, what I’m not, I guess. I just…”

“You just aren’t ready for the meet the family and friends,” Dick finished kindly. “I get that, especially when it’s us. You want more time for the two of you first. Ah—I mean three of you. Maybe four.”

Caroline let out a relieved breath. “Exactly. And I really think that all of the family should know about me first. Which is already moving much quicker than I might have planned. Not that I’m not glad for this, I’ve enjoyed today, but it is… a lot.”

“Okay,” Dick said. His eye were that sad sort of kind that knew they should expect him to show up at the apartment again soon. He’d want to give them, and especially Tim, a chance to talk.

“Was teasing,” Cass said.

“Yeah, same,” Steph said, an apology in her smile.”

“I wasn’t,” Babs said, “This outfit it absolutely date night material. Now go try on the last few things. We still need shoes and bags.” She paused before adding, “And lingerie.”

Dick grimaced slightly. “I’m going to learn things about my little siblings I don’t want to know, aren’t I?”

“You could always leave,” Steph pointed out with a smirk.

“But girls night!” Dick whined.

“Exactly,” Babs said. “So we have to talk about cute boys and or girls. You’ll live.”

“Rude,” Dick said with a sniff as he flopped dramatically over the arm of the sofa they were occupying.

Caroline held back a laugh and disappeared back into the dressing room.

It was a lot, but it was a good a lot.

[clockwayswrites]

A Hill to Die On, ch5 p2

Masterpost, late night posting. Not read over cause I'm feeling bogged down by everything and just wanted to post, please no editing or concrit <3

“Ooh,” Steph said and bumped her shoulder into Caroline’s as she followed her gaze. “Is that your type? He’s cute, in a slightly disheveled nerd sort of way.”

Caroline tried not to blush and cleared her throat a little. “He better be my type, I’m dating him.”

“Dating him? You have a boyfriend?” Steph teased, drawing the last word out. “Wait how does that work? Does Tim know?”

“Of course he knows,” Caroline said, tucking some hair behind her ear. “Tim is dating him too. He’s very sweet about it all.”

“What’s his name?”

“Who’s name?” Dick asked as he came over and draped his arms around Caroline’s shoulder, chin resting on top of her head.

Dick’s tactile nature was something Caroline still wasn’t sure how to handle, but it was nice. She let herself lean back against him a little bit.

“Him,” Steph said, pointing at Danny. “Apparently, he’s Caroline and Tim’s boyfriend.”

“My little sister and little brother are dating?” Dick cried dramatically. “And the same man?! Wait, what about Alvin?”

Caroline gave up on not blushing. “Alvin hasn’t talked to him yet—which is Alvin’s choice. Danny said he could.”

“Danny? Who’s Danny?” Babs asked as she rolled up. Her lap was piled with clothing, likely for Caroline to try on.

“Him, Caroline and Tim’s boyfriend,” Steph said gleefully and gestured in Danny’s direction again.

This time, Danny noticed the action and glanced their way before having to do a double take. His eyes scanned over the group as he rubbed at the back of his neck in a nervous little action. Caroline couldn’t help but find it adorable how he ducked his head as he gave a little wave.

“Oh you just eat him alive, don’t you?” Babs asked with a little smirk.

Caroline couldn’t help but smirk back as she gave a little shrug. “Maybe.”

“That’s absolutely a yes,” Babs said.

“I’m going over there to say hello before he works up the nerves to do the same,” Caroline said as she peeled herself away from Dick.

“Embarrassed of us?” Cass asked with a tilt of her head and her pitiful doe eyes in full use.

“Never,” Caroline said, “but afraid that you might scare him away? Absolutely.”

Laughter from the group followed her across the store as she walked over to where Danny had paused with his bags. She didn’t hesitate to lean in and give him a kiss when she was close enough.

He gave her a little smile back. “Did I accidentally crash your shopping trip?”

“Only a little. I don’t mind,” she said.

Danny glanced past her. “Even though your family knows about me now? And wow, your brother really rocks a skirt well.”

“Don’t get any ideas,” Caroline said, feeling a bubble of jealousy despite herself.

Danny just laughed and turned off his attention back to her. “Never. You all are more than enough for me. Trust me, I’m well aware I’m the lucky one here.”

“Oh Danny.” She reached out and stroked her fingers over Danny’s cheek. “I think you underestimate how good you are. And I don’t mind them know about you. They’re just more than a little overwhelming, so we’re holding off the introductions for now, okay?”

Danny snagged her fingers and gave them a little squeeze. “Okay. Send me some pictures of your favorite outfits, yeah? I’ll need to know what sort of places to look at for our next date.”

That made her smile softly. “I will. You’ll have to plan it soon.”

“Happy to,” Danny said. He gave her another kiss before taking a step back. “Go enjoy your day.”

“Get home safely.”

“Promise,” Danny said with a little salute and one more quick kiss before he turned and left.

[clockwayswrites]

A Hill to Die On, Ch 5, P 1

masterpost (this is a first draft, please no editing or concrit <3 my brain is very fatigued and migraine is looming)

It was only because there was no one else in the apartment that Caroline let herself pace. Well, no one than the other people who shared the body with her. Apparently Dick had managed to invite all the girls. Cassandra, Stephanie, and Barbara were all coming along on the shopping trip with her and Dick.

Dick had said that he’d spoken with them each about, well, her and Alvin existing, but she didn’t find that as reassuring as she hoped that it might be. She trusted Dick about the fact that he did talk to each of them, but she found, shamefully, that she didn’t exactly trust Dick not to be taking the reactions at their very best. There was a big gap between not minding her existence and really accepting it. She wasn’t sure where the girls fell in that spectrum.

Tim was trying to reassure her, which was weird. Because, she could tell that Tim was nervous and uncertain as well. There were a lot of reasons that Tim had never really accepted what she and Alvin were and several of those reasons were the Bats and Birds.

He couldn’t lose any of them.

She couldn’t either.

The ringing of the doorbell scattered her thoughts.

Caroline pulled on the strings of her (Tim’s? Too big. Jason’s?) hoodie and pushed her shoulders back. It was okay. She could do this. If they hated her, she’d just make sure not to be around them again. That should be easy enough with three people in the body.

She glanced at the screen by the door, safety first and all that, before opening it to the gaggle of girls.

Well, girls and Dick who honestly blended in very well.

“Who did your make up?” Caroline asked.

“Team effort,” Dick answered with a grin.

Caroline gave a little snort before she forced herself to actually look at the other. “Hi, I’m Caroline. I’d say nice to meet you, but.”

“Have we all actually met you?” Stephanie asked as she pushed through the group some to lean forward.

Barbara just rolled her eyes and her wheelchair both, causing Stephanie to lose her balance and almost toppled.

“Rude,” Stephanie huffed, but followed the others inside.

“You have, at least in some way,” Caroline answered as she brushed some of her hair behind an ear. She had put in the dangly star earrings that Danny had gotten her. They were a small comfort within all of the uncertainty of the day. “I’m pretty much who fronts at galas, but this is the most… me I’ve been around some of you.”

“And you never wanted to say hello?” Barbara asked.

Of course it had to be Barbara who had to ask. She was one of Caroline’s inspirations as both the original Batgirl but also as Oracle. Caroline sat lightly on the arm of the couch, since it seemed they were settling in to talk first. “Of course I did. But… we didn’t really acknowledge ourselves as different people exactly for the longest, even if the truth was in the back of our mind. I think Tim would have stopped me. And even if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have risked that for him.”

“Risked… being you?” Cass asked as she took a seat and folded her legs under herself.

Caroline smiled sadly. “Risk point out how not normal we are.”

“Okay, but Tim—Fuck! Caroline,” Stephanie corrected herself with a grimace. Caroline tried not to mind the slip. “But Caroline, we have never thought Tim was normal. I knew that from the moment I thew a brick at his face.”

“You two have the weirdest relationship,” Caroline said.

“Yeah we do! Dude was my lamaze partner,” she said proudly. Then her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Or fuck, wait, was that actually Alvin?! Have I met Alvin?”

“Pretty much.”

“Yes!” Steph threw her arms up and collapsed onto the couch. “I’ve met all three. Suck it, losers!”

Caroline couldn’t help but laugh softly at that. “Well, so has Dick and maybe Babara.”

“Oh,” Cass said. “That laugh. Heard that laugh before. That is your laugh.”

The wounder with which Cass said it made Caroline want to hide away (or at least blush). (She was pretty sure that she was blushing.) “Oh, yes, I suppose it is.”

“Like it,” Cass said.

Caroline found herself relaxing a little at the certainty that Cass was approaching her with. “Thanks. Our psychiatrist thinks that the more I have… permission to be myself, that the more those differences will come. It’s a little hard though, because all of us are used to being chameleons.”

“Which is part of the reason for this shopping trip!” Dick said. He stepped forward and draped an arm over her shoulder. Caroline let herself lean back into the touch. “We’re going to make sure that Caroline gets new clothing that fits and is all her’s and some decor stuff that she likes.”

“Well, Tim might steal some of the clothing,” Caroline said. “I think I’m a good excuse for him to explore that side of himself. But I really do need clothing that fits.”

“Outfits are something that help you a lot? To feel more you, I mean,” Barbara asked.

Caroline nodded. “Make up and hair styling too. I really like that our hair is longer now so that I don’t have to wear a wig to feel like me.”

“I like how you style it,” Stephanie said. “It looks so different from Tim’s.”

“That’s because Tim is lazy and doesn’t put any product in it,” Caroline said. “But thank you, Stephanie.”

“Stephanie?” she asked, nose scrunched up in offense. “Dude, no, Steph. It’s not like we don’t already know each other! I know we still have to get to know each other better but, like, we can start off as friends, right?”

“And family,” Cass said.

“You had better call me Babs.”

Dick squeezed her shoulder. Maybe he had done a good job talking to them after all.

Caroline ducked her head, embarrassed by how fond she was feeling about all of them right then. “Friends and family then. I like that.”

[clockwayswrites]

A Hill to Die On, Chapter 4 Part 2

masterpost (note that Caroline is not necessarily the best narrator about DID/OSSD, she's just trying explain her experience as she see is [in this story])

“He didn’t,” Caroline gasped, careful not to spill her wine as she leaned forward.

As soon as Dick realized that Caroline didn’t normally get to share and see the world through Tim’s eyes, he had been a fountain of stories about the family. “He did. There was a green tint to his skin for weeks. Sure, the distraction worked, I was able to slip away, but at what cost?”

“You ask that as if Bruce had any dignity left to lose,” Caroline pointed out with a raised brow. “I’m not sure there was even any to lose by the first time that I met him.”

“Oh, no, god no,” Dick said. He leaned forward to snag another piece of the dragon roll. “The cost wasn’t Bruce’s dignity, it was the fact that the fountains have never been dyed green for Saint Patty’s day again! We lost a great tradition that day.”

“A very noble one,” Caroline said somberly.

“Verily,” Dick agreed. He polled the piece of sushi in his mouth and leaned back to drape himself over the couch. He really could lounge. “How long have you known Bruce?”

“You mean you’re trying to figure out how long I’ve been around,” Caroline said.

Dick shrugged, looking only slightly cowed. “Yeah. Is that rude? I don’t want to offend you, but I can’t say that I’m not curious.”

“You’re a Bat, of course you’re curious,” Caroline allowed. She took a piece of sushi too, so that she had some time to think. “I haven’t always been around, just because I simply can’t have. Or I don’t think that I could have, because I think Tim was the first, but I don’t know when I haven’t been around. I have some unclear, fuzzy memories from before, but my first clear memory was when I was there to front for Tim’s first Gala. He was so scared about it. He didn’t want to upset his parents.”

“They weren’t your parents too?”

“No, never,” Caroline said with a vicious sort of certainty. She glanced up and caught Dick’s sympathetic look and gave a wry smile. “Do you know how badly it would have been if the Drakes knew that I existed? Or Alvin once he did? We would have been shipped off to some asylum disguised as a boarding school and they would have tried to fry me out of Tim’s brain. No, I was just there to perform admirably at galas. That was my first mission.”

Dick face was twisted up in a thoughtful little frown as he stared up at the ceiling. Caroline felt privileged that she got to see this side of Dick. She knew that he didn’t like to seem unhappy around many people.

“Didn’t Bruce pick the name Caroline Hill?”

“He did,” Caroline said.

“But…” Dick waved in her direction.

Caroline shifted and folded her legs up to her side as she thought how to explain. “I didn’t have a name. I was simply… the Woman. I think that I’m based a lot on Janet, even though she would have hated that, but also the other woman that we saw at galas. Calm, efficient, and in control. Tim knew I was there, but not… that I was? Or how much I was. I might have not even known. But when I was needed for his mission to be Caroline Hill… I don’t know. I suppose it’s a little like when Pinocchio became a real boy. Suddenly I had a name and a real mission, one for the life Tim loves. It was transformative.”

“And you’ve been… growing? Is that an okay word?”

Caroline shrugged. She didn’t mind the word at least.

“You’ve been growing ever since.”

“I suppose so,” Caroline agreed. She took a sip of her wine. She wondered how much Tim would hate her for explaining this, but someone needed to know. “After this injury, Tim hasn’t really been himself. I think maybe because he doesn’t know who he is without Robin. In all of that thinking… I don’t know how to explain it really, but I guess that there was some more room made for me and Alvin. Alvin might not much want it but God, Dick, I love being alive.”

Dick smiled. “Does that mean you’ll be around more.”

“I have been the last few weeks at least. But I promise that I’m not trying to take over from Tim,” Caroline said in a rush as it occurred to her that Dick might be worried about it. “I’m just enjoying some time out and about and some, ah, mutual interests and—”

“Caroline, calm down,” Dick interrupted. “I’m not worried about that. Whatever works for you and Tim is all that matters. And, well, Alvin. I just thought that if you’re going to be around more, we should make sure you have some things of your own.”

Caroline blinked, surprised. “Like clothing?”

“Definitely like clothing,” Dick agreed, “but also foods you like and even decor. Like, Tim has a spare bedroom, right? We could make it up as yours or at least a space that’s more your tastes.”

“Oh.” Caroline swallowed back the threat of tears. She wasn’t going to cry, damn it. “I—yes, I’d like that.”

“Shopping trip!” Dick said. His wine splashed on the floor as he threw his arms up in the air. “Oh, oh! What about inviting some of the other girls on the shopping trip?”

Caroline covered her smile with a delicate hand. “You’re not a girl.”

“Bitch, I can rock a skirt,” Dick said as he struck a pose.

“Fine, you wear a skirt for it and you can invite the other girls,” Caroline said before she could second guess it. “But you have to explain me to them before it and make sure that they… that they won’t mind me.’

“They won’t,” Dick promised, “and deal.”

[chronicallyonline-fandomwh0r3]

(I can see your point from your earlier posts about Alvin. )

SCRUMPTIOUS AND DELICIOUS READING CLOCKY!!!!!

A Hill to Die On Ch 6, Part 1 (only?)

Masterpost this is a first draft, please no editing or concrit <3 I am headache. I am pain.

CW: deff implied sexual content on either end and Danny and Alvin both being disasters.

[Good times are had for Danny and Tim involving walls and mouths and Tim being happily used.]

-

Danny rolled over in bed, hand narrowly missing the attempted grab. He let out a low grumble into his pillow before he mumbled, “Come back to bed, Tim.”

“Not Tim.”

It was so clear when that sunk in by the way that Danny tensed for a moment before he very obviously forced himself to relax. He turned his head enough to get one eye open. “Not Caroline either.”

“Nope.”

“So, unless there’s another one, you’re Alvin.”

“And you’re a real genius. I can see why Tim likes you,” Alvin deadpanned. He put the trinket that he’d been looking at back down on Danny’s side table.

“Do we have to do this meeting at…” Danny grappled for his phone and squinted at the too bright screen. “Two forty-two in the morning?”

“Nope,” Alvin said and headed towards where he guessed the kitchen might be, “but I’m getting a drink. I can still taste your cock and I wasn’t even the one who sucked it.”

“You wish you had!” Danny called after him.

“Like fuck I do!” Alvin called back. He found the fridge and opened it to instant regret at the bright light.

Danny must had gotten up because there was mumbled cussing, shuffling around, and then the sound of a chair scraping across the linoleum floor.

“Pick something already, you’re letting the penguins out,” Danny complained through a yawn.

Alvin rolled his eyes and grabbed the orange juice. “Letting the penguins out’, fuck, where did they even find you?”

“At a club. And use a glass. Cabinet closest to the fridge,” Danny said.

Alvin considered not using a glass just to spite the order, but grabbed one in the end. “Thought we weren’t doing this at two forty-two in the morning.”

“Yeah, well, you finally show up after you’ve never even texted me back, so I feel kinda obligated to be conscious if you’re going to actually be around,” Danny said. He’d pulled on some boxers and was more slumped at the table then sitting at it.

Alvin slid Danny a glass of the juice before shoving the bottle back in the fridge. He leaned against the counter and took a long drink from his own glass. There were a lot of unasked questions in that, questions that Alvin didn’t know where to start with or even if he wanted to start at all. Coming out tonight hadn’t exactly been part of a plan.

“You don’t have to,” Alvin said eventually. “Not me that you’re dating. Or fucking.”

Danny tensed a little at that. Interesting.

“Nope,” Danny said with purposeful casualness, “and we don’t have to do either just because I’m with Tim and Caroline. But it’s your body too, so I’d at least like us to be amicable with each other.”

Alvin snorted at that. “Yeah, you’re just fine if there’s this whole other person thing rattling around in your boyfriend’s—girlfriend’s? In your lover’s body?”

“Well, yeah,” Danny said like it was really that fucking simple. “I knew you came as part of the package. You’re not a thing, Alvin, you’re a person just like Caroline or Tim.”

Alvin tossed the rest of the OJ back and set the glass down with a clank. “Naw, Tim’s the real boy. Caroline’s a pretty face. I’m just Pinocchio.”

“That’s not true,” Danny said. His passion was almost vehement. “Even if Tim was the first one around or the first one named, you and Caroline are still here and real and deserve to be treated like the real people you are.”

What was he supposed to say to that. Alvin just crossed his arms and looked away.

“I mean it, Alvin,” Danny said. The chair squeaked again as Danny got up and came around the table. “I’d like to get to know you when you’re around. And if we don’t end up together too, okay. If you want to be with someone else, okay. We’d just need to make sure the others feel safe and you protection and get tested and stuff, same as we have.”

“Ugh, you guys are bare backing it, aren’t you?” Alvin groaned dramatically.

Danny just shrugged out of the corner of Alvin’s eyesight. “We’re exclusive, unless you change that, and traded test results. Didn’t seem a reason not to do that. Besides,” Danny continued with a suspicious smugness. “Tim likes to gag on it.”

“Oh fuck you,” Alvin said. He grabbed the dish towel at his hip and tossed it at Danny, who caught it laughing.

“Dude, you’re the one standing naked in my kitchen drinking juice,” Danny pointed out.

Alvin huffed and crossed his arm again. “I’m not like Tim and Caroline.”

“I’ve figured that out pretty quickly. Genius, remember?” Danny teased.

Alvin narrowed his eyes. “I mean that I don’t like to ‘gag on it’. I don’t want to be fucked either.”

Danny just shrugged again. “That’s fine. I’m pretty sure Caroline is like, basically picking out a nice silicone cock or two to fuck me with.”

Alvin’s nose scrunched up. “She has a real one.”

“And if she isn’t comfortable using it, that’s fine.” Danny was aggravatingly easy going. “Besides, I think she has plans.”

“Your funeral.”

“Trust me,” Danny said with a toothy smile, “I’ll rest like the dead after.”

Alvin eyed the pointy teeth. “I can’t tell if I hate you a little or really want to bend you over the table and fuck you.”

“Hate sex is good too,” Danny said, smile suddenly all too innocent.

Seriously, who had Caroline found in that club? He was cheerful and annoying and hot and way too horny—Alvin lunged forward and captured Danny’s mouth with his own, as if he could devour that innocent little smile and all the sin that it promised.

When in Rome, or something.